Best Android phones to get this spring

Spring is in full bloom and as everything starts to get green and cheerful, you may look at your old phone and think it’s about time to bring change into your life. Luckily, this is one of the best times to get a new device.

Some of the biggest phone manufacturer have just released their brand new 2013 flagship devices, and it just so happens that all of them run on Android. Apple’s iPhone traditionally gets a refresh much later in the year, and the same goes for Windows Phone.

And while previously picking between say iOS or Android was a choice between style and geekery, Google’s ecosystem has evolved so much in the past 12 months that it’s perfectly safe to say that you can get gorgeous devices on it.

We have listed our top five picks for new devices that are already available or coming in just a couple of days. Take a look at them, and let us know - which one would you get?

HTC wanted a comeback and it brought its best with the HTC One. It is a brilliant device in virtually every aspect. Coming with a beautiful aluminum body that fits almost organically in the hand, it has a great and vivid, extremely sharp 4.7-inch screen. The stereo front speaker bring a small revolution in smartphone sound that you’ll appreciate instantly when you hear it. Performance is flawless on the new Snapdragon 600 quad-core chip.

HTC One

http://www.phonearena.com/reviews/HTC-One-Review_id3269

image

Samsung didn't exactly catch us by surprise with the Galaxy S4. However, it's the flawless implementation of all the features that makes the Galaxy S4 the superb smartphone that it is. Design-wise, the latest Samsung flagship is nothing special. It looks OK and is comfortable to hold. We're more than happy to see that Samsung has managed to make the smartphone even smaller than the GS III, which is a remarkable achievement, considering the bigger screen.

Samsung Galaxy S4

http://www.phonearena.com/reviews/Samsung-Galaxy-S4-Review_id3280

image

The LG Optimus G Pro is a brilliantly timed device. Coming nearly half a year after the Note II, it manages to take advantage and stuff in an extremely crisp 1080p 5.5-inch screen that is very vivid and impressive. The G Pro is not for everyone, but for those who enjoy the big screens it would offer a flawless performance and a great camera. Phablet lovers, this should be your choice this spring.

LG Optimus G Pro

http://www.phonearena.com/reviews/LG-Optimus-G-Pro-Review_id3258

image

The Nexus 4 might have launched a few months ago but it only recently started shipping in volume on the Google Play store. Most importantly, though, it has remained extremely competitive in price. Its a compact and practical decision. It has a 4.7-inch 720p screen and realistically looking it is almost impossible to justify a 1080p display on a phone, so that’s definitely not a flaw. What’s more the Nexus 4 is the first to get the latest Android updates, and the most affordable of all devices in this list.

Nexus 4

http://www.phonearena.com/reviews/Google-Nexus-4-Review_id3192

image

The Sony Xperia Z was the first 2013 flagship. It was the first of many more with a 5-inch 1080p display, but while we were disappointed with the quality of that screen, the device had one more ace up its sleeve - it was water and dust resistant. With the thought of summer, beaches and swimming, and the possibility to take the Xperia Z with you wherever you go (you can also shoot videos and images underwater), we are very tempted to get it. The handset also has a decent 13-megapixel Exmor RS camera that performs well in low light.

Sony Xperia Z

http://www.phonearena.com/reviews/Sony-Xperia-Z-Review_id3247

HTC wanted a comeback and it brought its best with the HTC One. It is a brilliant device in virtually every aspect. Coming with a beautiful aluminum body that fits almost organically in the hand, it has a great and vivid, extremely sharp 4.7-inch screen. The stereo front speaker bring a small revolution in smartphone sound that you’ll appreciate instantly when you hear it. Performance is flawless on the new Snapdragon 600 quad-core chip.

Best Android phones to get this Spring

HTC wanted a comeback and it brought its best with the HTC One. It is a brilliant device in virtually every aspect. Coming with a beautiful aluminum body that fits almost organically in the hand, it has a great and vivid, extremely sharp 4.7-inch screen. The stereo front speaker bring a small revolution in smartphone sound that you’ll appreciate instantly when you hear it. Performance is flawless on the new Snapdragon 600 quad-core chip.

Samsung didn't exactly catch us by surprise with the Galaxy S4. However, it's the flawless implementation of all the features that makes the Galaxy S4 the superb smartphone that it is. Design-wise, the latest Samsung flagship is nothing special. It looks OK and is comfortable to hold. We're more than happy to see that Samsung has managed to make the smartphone even smaller than the GS III, which is a remarkable achievement, considering the bigger screen.

The LG Optimus G Pro is a brilliantly timed device. Coming nearly half a year after the Note II, it manages to take advantage and stuff in an extremely crisp 1080p 5.5-inch screen that is very vivid and impressive. The G Pro is not for everyone, but for those who enjoy the big screens it would offer a flawless performance and a great camera. Phablet lovers, this should be your choice this spring.

The Nexus 4 might have launched a few months ago but it only recently started shipping in volume on the Google Play store. Most importantly, though, it has remained extremely competitive in price. Its a compact and practical decision. It has a 4.7-inch 720p screen and realistically looking it is almost impossible to justify a 1080p display on a phone, so that’s definitely not a flaw. What’s more the Nexus 4 is the first to get the latest Android updates, and the most affordable of all devices in this list.

The Sony Xperia Z was the first 2013 flagship. It was the first of many more with a 5-inch 1080p display, but while we were disappointed with the quality of that screen, the device had one more ace up its sleeve - it was water and dust resistant. With the thought of summer, beaches and swimming, and the possibility to take the Xperia Z with you wherever you go (you can also shoot videos and images underwater), we are very tempted to get it. The handset also has a decent 13-megapixel Exmor RS camera that performs well in low light.

189 Comments

Display mode:

Have the Nexus 4 now and the developer edition of the One on preorder. The S4 didn't impress me at all when it was announced, the new features just seemed too gimmicky and I wasn't a huge fan of touchwiz on the S3. Haven't had a Sony phone yet, but I wouldn't count it out.

i think when company is being b*tch to its consumer, consumer need to tell inform them. one way to do it but not supporting them. so dont buy s4, force samsung to make s5 newer design.
the only NEW hardware feature on samsung is digitizer. which we can use even after wearing gloves. That is all.
processor, camera, battery, screen res these things have age and samsung HAD to put new one. if they had old technology that would make s4 worst.

Omar300 u r an idiot, the S4 is far more advanced than the S3, bigger screen, full hd screen 1080p not 720p...you virtually don't have to touch the screen to use it which for a person like me who doesn't like to put any screen protectors or case on my phone since it takes away from the beauty of it. IR blaster remote control for your tv...I could go on and on and on and on and on and on and on...the S4 will be the best smart phone period!!!

Teerex, you are saying that you are not planning to touch the screen on your S4 ever and your expecting a pleasant experience? Using the S4 without a case is great you know, makes you appreciate its plastic construction. I could probably say Samsung ruled the competition with the S3 and the Note 2 last year, but the S4 has serious competition this year that you have to acknowledge. The One looks to be as reliable and featured packed as the S4. Samsung didnt offer "the best smartphone period", not this year.

Sorry I have to agree with teerex and it seems a lot of others do as well. WHy would anyone want a metal phone. They dent ive never seen one that didnt dent. Everyone complains about plastic even tho its not a plastic its a diferent material all together that si more flexible and reliable. And last but not least. If the phone is not on all major carriers then there is no way it will come close to being one of the best phones of the year and the One not being on vzw is a big flaw especially since vzw is the biggest carrier in the US.

with the s4 who said u can use the phone without touching it? that only goes as far as flipping home screens or pages. lets say if u have to text, how would u text without touching the keyboard? or lets say u have to enter an address of a website. Dont brag beyond the realistic point! And who said if u touch ur phone then u need screen protector? screen protector is only good for old phones without gorilla glass, nowadays the screen glass is good enuff to resist scratches. If ur talking about dropping and breaking the screen, a screen protector doesnt help either, it's just a piece of plastic.

48. omar300 posted on 4 hours ago 3
i think when company is being b*tch to its consumer, consumer need to tell inform them. one way to do it but not supporting them. so dont buy s4, force samsung to make s5 newer design.
the only NEW hardware feature on samsung is digitizer. which we can use even after wearing gloves. That is all.
processor, camera, battery, screen res these things have age and samsung HAD to put new one. if they had old technology that would make s4 worst.

htc one for sure..definitely one..
i was waiting for a complete handset for a long time..
only one can bring my expect ..
i like its design/body/ui/sound/screen/camera..
everything is perfect ..
s4/z/g pro then good enough for every taste but i pick up one..
tnx for this case PA.

HTC one camera is garbage, the device takes FOREVER to charge, the device runs above average hot, poor battery life for 3d games. I expect a lot of returns. HTC can bring good design but when it comes to hardware/software they are behind.

Did you even read that article it says "Rarely gets hot and bothered." You obviously know nothing about phone heat and need to learn how to read, that article is saying the s4 runs cool compared to other phones.

If you want to talk alumnium vs the polycarb on the s4 I would prefer the polycarb. Alumnium is a weak metal, it is very easy to scratch/dent and it is a conductor of head.

aluminum is not stainless steel bro.. And plastics don't stain, scratch, dent, and heavy as aluminium. And S4 is not made of cheap plastics but with high quality plastics called poly-carbonate, which is a heavy duty durable carbon polymer..

If the aluminum body is acting like a heat sink and cooling the cpu, it might not be a bad thing. Most likely would be putting a case on that beast anyways so that probably might help some with it getting hot to touch.

Coming from someone who looks for the features first, followed by a close second...overall phone life, the HTC loses immediately. I hope everyone has fun complaining about the One's battery failing and having to get the whole phone sent in for repair, while the S4 is just one small online purchase away from a much longer lifespan. I've been through 2 Inspire batteries before I got smart and bought an Anker online for $8. NOT going through that with a non-removable battery. And have I mentioned the horrible updates from HTC? Going from my old Inspire to the S4 will be breathtaking.

Cant wait to root this device and overclock the Cpu to a max 2.3Ghz. And install custom Kernels, which then you can have all 8Cpus active. and those PvrSgx543 to a massive700Mhz, all 3 cores running at 700Mhz will make sure that highend games will have no lag and much higher frame rates and have more details™

168.jcarrigan (unregistered)

i chose the xperia, i have the gs3 and i love it but the gs4 isnt worth it, the htc one isnt anything new really, and the lg optimus g pro looks exactly like the samsung galaxy note 2. the nexus 4 isnt worth mentioning really because its last years phone.

i dont know why you are getting dislikes but i fully agree. its time we get a change and
htc has brought that. a slicker desgin, FINALLY! front speakers! let alone them being stereo! and
they didnt make an awesome camera because 4mp is only good for object less than 10 feet away.
BUT they atleast brought the knowledge to consumer about how cameras work(sensor being bigger means better lightening. and then there is the aperture(smaller is better).).

173.kboo1995 (unregistered)

I'm on Verizon, so I don't have very many options to replace my S3 with (S4, iPhone 5 or 5S, Moto X hopefully). Having said that, I hope the One comes to Verizon, and if not, I'll hold out for the Moto X.

aluminum is not stainless steel bro.. And plastics don't stain, scratch, dent, and heavy as aluminium. And S4 is not made of cheap plastics but with high quality plastics called poly-carbonate, which is a heavy duty durable carbon polymer..

man no need to be aggresive i like samsung too but the truth must be said all this phones are great each one of them has his advantages and disadvantages there's no perfect smartphone yet so relax and choose whatever u want

All content (phone reviews, news, specs, info), design and layouts are Copyright 2001-2015 phoneArena.com. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part or in any form or medium without written permission is prohibited! Privacy . Terms of use . Cookies . Team